Grab Acquired 60% Stake in Atome Financial
Grab is expanding its consumer lending operations through a $1.49 billion deal to gain a majority stake in Atome Financial.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Investing
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Grab has agreed to purchase a 60% stake in Atome Financial for $1.49 billion to boost its consumer lending business. The transaction follows a year in which Grab shares declined 40% and the company pursued multiple high-profile acquisitions.
Why it matters
This acquisition is part of a broader push to revitalize growth and increase market penetration amid rising competition. Grab aims to leverage Atome Financial to grow its loan book to over $6 billion by 2028.
Atome Financial reported revenue of $470 million in 2025, an 80% surge that highlights the growth Grab is targeting. Grab expects this deal will help drive 30% compound annual revenue growth through 2028.
The players
Grab Holdings Ltd.
A ride-hailing and food delivery provider that offers various financial services, including consumer lending, to users across Southeast Asia.
Atome Financial
A Singapore-based financial services provider specializing in consumer credit and lending products.
Advance Intelligence Group
The parent company of Atome Financial that is selling the majority stake to Grab.
The details
The transaction involves a cash payment to the parent company, Advance Intelligence Group, and other parties to secure the 60% interest. Grab plans to acquire the remaining stake in Atome Financial two years after the initial phase completes. This deal continues a recent aggressive expansion strategy, following the $425 million purchase of Stash Financial and the $600 million acquisition of Foodpanda Taiwan in 2026.
Timeline
2025: Atome Financial revenue grew by 80%.
2026: Grab shares experienced a 40% decline.
2026: Grab completed the acquisitions of Stash Financial and Foodpanda Taiwan.
2028: Target date for a $6 billion loan book and $1.7 billion in adjusted EBITDA.
Two years post-completion: Grab will purchase the remaining stake in Atome Financial.
Money Landscape
This deal follows a broader period of consolidation in the Southeast Asian tech sector as major platforms pivot toward financial services to drive profitability. It reflects a strategic shift from pure user growth to established revenue streams following a year where Grab shares declined 40%.
Investors and those tracking regional financial platforms should monitor how these acquisitions impact service fees and access to credit for users. As Grab integrates these new assets, users should review their existing terms of service for any changes to lending or financial products.
The takeaway
Grab is betting that consumer credit expansion will restore growth after a challenging year for its stock price. Readers interested in the impact of these corporate shifts should track future quarterly earnings reports for updates on the integration of these new business units.
Further reading
Learn more about the fundamentals of assessing company growth strategies in our Investing section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by BusinessWorld.
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